Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many devolution proposals are currently being considered by his Department; and how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department were working on devolution in each year since 2009-10.

The government received 38 devolution proposals from local areas by September 2015. Government has been reviewing these proposals, and negotiating devolution agreements where appropriate. The proposals received vary significantly in detail and scope, with several taking the form of an early expression of interest or statement of intent.

Work on devolution issues is resourced according to business need. HM Treasury staff working on English devolution are supported by departmental spending teams and other specialist officials, the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Cities and Local Growth Unit and other government departments. There is also a standing team responsible for policy relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.